Storm in Bay Area causes flooding and fallen trees

October 5, 2011 5:43:57 AM PDT

Heavy rain and winds have caused flooding, power outages and fallen trees around the Bay Area.

Heavy rain this morning caused drains to back up in Marin County, it flooded an apartment unit. Firefighters arrived on the scene at this building shortly after two this morning to pump out about seven inches of water from a lower unit. Firefighters believe the flood was caused by a clogged storm drain on a street uphill from the building, and another clogged drain directly in front. No word yet on the amount of damage caused by the overflowing water.

A Sig-alert has been issued this morning after an overnight storm knocked down a tree onto state Highway 9 in unincorporated Santa Clara County near the Santa Cruz County border, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The tree was first reported blocking both the north- and southbound lanes of the highway near Redwood Gulch Road at 3:36 a.m. A Sig-alert was issued at 4:15 a.m., CHP Officer Ralph Caggiano said.

The tree is 30 feet long and about 1 foot in diameter, Caggiano said.

Caltrans is working to remove the tree from the road. There is no estimated time when the highway will reopen, he said.

High wind advisories have been issued for four Bay Area bridges this morning, according the California Highway Patrol.

Drivers on the San Mateo, Dumbarton, Bay and Richmond bridges are advised about strong winds.

The advisories were issued at the bridges between 1:07 a.m. and 1:43 a.m. this morning and were still in effect as of 4:30 a.m.